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AGENDA ITEM <br /> <br />Prepared By: Reviewed By: A. Carlson Approved By: <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />1. Purpose. The purpose of this action item is to establish the City’s water conservation measures <br />during the current drought. <br /> <br />2. Background. The State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources has announced a statewide <br />DROUGHT WARNING PHASE in accordance with the Minnesota Statewide Drought Plan (Exhibit A). <br />which specifies actions that water suppliers, such as Orono, must implement once the state is elevated to <br />drought warning phase including requirements that: <br />a. Public water suppliers implement appropriate water use restrictions contained in their Water <br />Supply Plan. <br />b. Public water suppliers will implement water use reduction actions with a goal of reducing water <br />use to 50% above January levels. For Orono this means a goal of 11,535 kGals per month. Note the <br />total for June was 22,306 kGals. <br /> <br />3. Water Supply Plan. The City’s Water Supply Plan (Page 33, Table 22) calls for use of the water <br />deficiency ordinance to drive short term demand reductions in accordance with the State Drought Plan. <br /> <br />4. Water Deficiency Ordinance. Section 14-136 of the City Code regulates the use of water during <br />periods of water shortage (Exhibit B). <br /> <br />5. Staff Recommendation. I recommend the City adopt a Resolution to implement restrictions for <br />nonessential water use in accordance with our City Code and Water supply plan. A draft resolution is <br />attached as Exhibit C. The draft resolution calls for voluntary restrictions on irrigations activities, asking <br />residents to restrict their irrigation to early morning on an odd / even day schedule. Should the drought <br />worsen or additional guidance come from the State, the City can reevaluate and move to an involuntary <br />restriction system. <br /> <br />6. Communication Plan. City staff will communicate the restrictions as well as water conservation <br />practices and links to water conservation information via the city website, email blasts, and on the next <br />utility bill. Some best practices to be communicated are at exhibit D. <br /> <br />COUNCIL ACTION REQUESTED <br />Move to Adopt the Water Conservation Resolution. <br /> <br /> <br />Exhibits. <br />A. DNR Drought Letter <br />B. City Ordinance Section 14-136 <br />C. Water Conservation Resolution Draft <br />D. Communications <br /> <br /> <br />Item No.: 9 Date: July 26, 2021 <br />Item Description: Water Conservation During Drought <br />Presenter: Adam T. Edwards <br />City Administrator / City Engineer <br />Agenda <br />Section: <br />City Administrator/ <br />Engineer Report